Spring construction



Jan. 8, 1952 E, l 'McRQ$ K E ,Y. 2,581,686

spams CONSTRUCTION Filed Apgil 22, 1946 R 6 G l; 5 L r q 7 INVENTOR.

EDWARD L. MROSKEY BY B- h Mowwb ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING CONSTRUCTION Edward L. McRoskey, San Francisco, Calif.

Application April 22, 1946, Serial No. 663,840

'2 Claims.

- This invention relates and more particularly to such multiple spring constructions as are used in inner spring mattresses, sofas, pillows, and the like.

Conventional inner spring constructions are the source of considerable difiiculty for several reasons. They often tend, to spread or shrink after periods of use and thus becomeuncomfortable if continued in use. Also they are apt to be noisy because the springs produce squeaking, clicking or other noises which are unpleasant. And additionally, the individual springs are like- 1y to break after repeated or strong fiexures; which failures, because of their inherent construction, require major and expensive repair or discard of the unit.

Although these difiiculties at first glanceappear to be unassociated, it has been found that most such disadvantages may be traced tothle method of securing the main springs to one an-- other. Many forms of various structures have been suggested and tried but most of these either allow too much play between the engaging members or utilize crimped sections to secure adjacent springs together. The first general type of construction is noisy and allows for spreading or shrinking while the second is conducive to spring breakage at the crimping point.

The present invention has been designed to overcome these difficulties by providing sections on adjacent springs which closely engage one another in intertwining relationship and are surrounded by a helical spring to hold them in position. Additionally, the construction requires no crimping.

Thus, one of the objects of the invention is'an inner spring unit which does not shrink or spread while in use.

Another object of the invention is an inner spring unit which 'does not squeak or click as varying, pressures are applied to diiferent positions on it.

A further object is to eliminate breakage of springs in inner spring constructions by which repair and upkeep expense are reduced to a minimum.

A still further object is an inner spring construction which secures adjacent springs tightly together and yet provides free hinge movement to afford flexibility to the entire unit. 1

And still another object of the invention is an inner spring construction which is simple and economical and easy to assemble.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of several adjacent main springs forming an inner spring to a spring construction.

construction in which the lower sections of the main springs have been removed for clarity in illustration.

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation of the main springs in Fig. l. i

It is obvious that the inner spring construction illustrated in the figures and described herein may be as large as is desired and that only a typical section is shown and described. Other and identical units can be added to form a unit of any size. Additionally, any conventional type main spring may be utilized if it provides a section of one of its coils which may be .formed as will be described.

As shown in Fig. 1, the spring assembly is made up of a plurality of springs I arranged in a series of rows running at right angles to one another in order that each spring in a row may be suitably secured to the adjacent springs in that row. Each of these springs is of conventional design and may comprise a number of helical coils 2 017.v

gradually decreasing diameter progressing toward the center of the spring from each end, as can be seen in Fig. 2. The end or terminal coils 3 in each spring are formed with two substantially straight lapping sections 4, 5 arranged on opposed sides of the coil. One of these lapping sections 5 is formed near the end of the terminal coil 3, as shown in Fig. 1, after which the end section 6 of the terminal coil is formed into a slight bend and terminated.

When adjacent springs are positioned together, the lapping sections 4, 5 of the terminal coil are placed in engagement with corresponding sections 5, 4 of the adjacent springs. In this way the section 4 of one spring engages section 5 near the end of the terminal coils 3 in the next adjacent one. The lapping sections 4, 5, although preferably substantially straight, may actually be slightly bent or slightly coiled about an axis extending generally in the direction in which the sections progress. is provided in order that the section 4 of one spring 'and section 5 of the next adjacent spring may be brought into an overlapping, intertwining and interlocking position, as shown. It is seen that with respect to a vertical plane each lapping section 5 enters the engagement over the corresponding lapping section 4 on the next spring and leaves the engagement under the same section. .In this way, the lapping sections are positioned for contact with one another oversubstantially their entire length.

In order to fix the engagement of adjacent springs in each row, a series of helical coiled This slight bending or ceiling springs 1 called helices are provided. These extend at right angles to the rows of springs l and each helix secured the engagement of the lapping sections 4, 5 of all corresponding and adjacent pairs of springs in all rows. The helices are ordinarily formed of wire slightly smaller than that from which springs l are formed and the inner diameter of the helix is only very slightly larger than twice the diameter of the wire comprising springs: I... The heliceslarespositioned as can be seen in the figures, to makearpluralityof turns about the lapping sections 4, 5 to hold them tightly together so that they do not become dis engaged; and additionally, serve to hold-.theadjacent rows of springs in position with respect to one another. It is thus seen that the terminal coils 3 of adjacent springs enter; the-helix 1 -.ats approximately the same point, but from substantially opposite directions, and overlap one ane other within and centrally of the helix, and leave 7 the again atsubstantially' the.same-;p oint buttinzopposite; directions; Since: the: innerxdi ameter of the helix is so very slightly largentharr twice. the diameter: of: the; wire in springs I the lapping sections are held in closesengagement so thatzno: undesiredslipping ormovement is possible: Such; undesirable -moveme'nt is also. pre' vented bythe :shape: of the lapping. sectionsthemselves; having:been-positioned, .as was described abovetto'lie closely adjacent one another.

\Vlth: this"; constructionin which the lapping sections engage: one another: for substantially theirz'entire length. it"isz-seen that although .the two may effectively hinge aboutone anotherxand withinzthe; coils: of: the? helices, they do. not. becorneasdisengagedzregardless: ofgthe varying. DIES: sureseputs. on themandr. thus: do'not. squeak or clicktas: tl'i'ey' changerposition:v The construction both permitsandrequiresa :rolling motion about one-eanothcri when: the:- sections: are: moved with respect to one: another: and this action: isz'both. smoother; and more regular thanin conventional constructions.-.

ItIis also seen that since the helices: hold the lapping. sections in: continuous" engagement; the entire: structure 7 is prevented from: spreading. or shrinking: Since the. overall .dimensions arezdetermined by thediameters'and number of springs I :and sincethesexare' prevented from individually, moving toward or away. from. one. another;.the; structure continues toa maintain .its: proper: size; and shape. afterilong andhardiusage.v

It -should: further 'be/noted that withithe. con-.- structionr. illustrated .nosharp. bands: or; crimps are-:- introduced: either into thesprings or? the helicesand that whatbends areused are gradual ones; This; featureis: particularly valuable-as. it

largely eliminates. broken...sp rings; caused. by: reepeatedfiexuresrleading to repair-or discardi of ithe unit;

; The: construction described; herein vpermits; of

assemblysin. several: different ways, but because. of -'therintertwiningrelationship between the lapping-sections, one of the easiest methodsof con-.-

structionmaybe used: Thiscomprises positioninga pair of adjacent springswhose lapping sections are-to be joined, one on topgof: the, other;

with. their: respective terminal. .coils in adjacent planes. Thev lapping sections. areinterlocked and. the? helical spring twisted. in place.- When, this isiaccomplished, the.upper spring-jg rotated;

aboutwthe axis of thehelicaland into place along- 4 side the lower spring. This advantage over conventional springs whose lapping sections are adapted to lap but not intertwine, makes possible a more inexpensive mattress because of lower construction costs.

I claim:

1. An inner spring construction comprising: a. plurality of rows of coil springs in which one of the corresponding ends of said springs has a terminal coil, a pair of opposed; substantially straight lapping section'sformed saidterminal coil of each of said springs with the said sections in each terminal coil being in generally intertwiningmelationship with one of the sections in the spring adjacent thereto in each row, the intertwined sections being in substantial engagement.from.-. endto: end thereof whereby pivotal relative movement between said intertwined sectionswvill'be substantially restricted to movement about their respective. longitudinal axes, and wl'i'ereby then adjacent pairs 1 of 5' terminal coiise in SflJidf- IDVSEWiIIib'Bl helditogetlierz against movement.

outwardly-"aways from' each" other; helical sprin'gy extending transversely of said: rows closely sur rounding: each: intertwined. pair o'f "secti'ons for holding them: in'said engagement with each otlien from end to end thereof and for? holding tliem againstirelative'longitudinal movement;

2; An inner "springconstruction comprising: 1 a2 plurality. of rows of; coil springs in which= one of the corresponding- "ends of said springs' -has a t'er' minal; coil, a" pair of opposed, substantiaily. straight lapping sections fOrmed iH-Saidterminalcoil 'Of- 'ea'ch' of saidspringswith the said' sections in 1 each terminal coil being in" generally" intertwining relationship with oneofthe-sections;in the spring-aad'jacent thereto in eaclrrovfi? the-in.- tertwinedsections being: in substantia-1i'engage=- ment" from end to end "thereof whereby pivotal relative movement between said' -intertwined sections will besubstanti'ally restricted to"movement" abouttheir respective longitudinal axes; and wherebythe adjacent pairs of terminal' coil's i'n. said row will be held together against movement outwardly-away from eachother; helical-springs extending transversely of said rows closelyf"sur=- rounding each intertwined pair" of sections" for holding them in said engagement.Witheachotlier from" end to end thereof andf for holding: them against relative longitudinal movement, eachpair of intertwined sections being positi'onedifand formed relative'to each otherso'thateach makes less'than a full '360'degree *turnabout thebtIier:

EDWARDL'. MCRLOSK'EYF REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'recordliirst lie file. of this. patent:

UNITED STATES 1' PATENTS? Number" Name" Date- 1,839,325 Marquardt Jan. 5;.19'32 1,887058' Karr- Nov: 8'; 1932 1,913",353 I-Iager etal. June 6-; 1933." 2,516,566 Hager J1L11y25j 1 9505 V EOREIGN PATENTS:

Number Country Eate 1 782,261" France Mar; 11*; 1935? 533,721 Germany- Sept: 1'8; 1931 509,399 Great 'B'ritain July 14'; I939 

